Menopausal status: A possible predictive factor for recurrence in women with cancer of the uterine cervix without pelvic lymph node metastasis

Objectives: To evaluate risk factors for recurrence of carcinoma of the uterine cervix among women who had undergone radical hysterectomy without pelvic lymph node metastasis, while taking into consideration not only the classical histopathological factors but also sociodemographic, clinical and treatment-related factors. Study design: This was an exploratory analysis on 233 women with carcinoma of the uterine cervix (stages IB and IIA) who were treated by means of radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, with free surgical margins and without lymph node metastases on conventional histopathological examination. Women with histologically normal lymph nodes but with micrometastases in the immunohistochemical analysis (AE1/AE3) were excluded. Disease-free survival for sociodemographic, clinical and histopathological variables was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the independent risk factors for recurrence. Results: Twenty-seven recurrences were recorded (11.6%), of which 18 were pelvic, four were distant, four were pelvic + distant and one was of unknown location. The five-year disease-free survival rate among the study population was 88.4%. The independent risk factors for recurrence in the multivariate analysis were: postmenopausal status (HR 14.1; 95% CI: 3.7-53.6; P < 0.001), absence of or slight inflammatory reaction (HR 7.9; 95% CI: 1.7-36.5; P = 0.008) and invasion of the deepest third of the cervix (FIR 6.1; 95% CI: 1.3-29.1; P = 0.021). Postoperative radiotherapy was identified as a protective factor against recurrence (HR 0.02; 95% CI: 0.001-0.25; P = 0.003). Conclusion: Postmenopausal status is a possible independent risk factor for recurrence even when adjusted for classical prognostic factors (such as tumour size, depth of turnout invasion, capillary embolisation) and treatment-related factors (period of treatment and postoperative radiotherapy status). (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of biological behavior between early-stage adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Objectives: (1) To compare the anatomopathological variables and recurrence rates in patients with early-stage adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix; (2) to identify the independent risk factors for recurrence. Study design: This historical cohort study assessed 238 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix (113 and IIA), who underwent radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection between 1980 and 1999. Comparison of category variables between the two histological types was carried out using the Pearson`s X-2 test or Fisher exact test. Disease-free survival rates for AC and SCC were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the curves were compared using the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the independent risk factors for recurrence. Results: There were 35 cases of AC (14.7%) and 203 of SCC (85.3%). AC presented lower histological grade than did SCC (grade 1: 68.6% versus 9.4%; p < 0.001), lower rate of lymphovascular space involvement (25.7% versus 53.7%; p = 0.002), lower rate of invasion into the middle or deep thirds of the uterine cervix (40.0% versus 80.8%; p < 0.001) and lower rate of lymph node metastasis (2.9% versus 16.3%; p = 0.036). Although the recurrence rate was lower for AC than for SCC (11.4% versus 15.8%), this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.509). Multivariate analysis identified three independent risk factors for recurrence: presence of metastases in the pelvic lymph nodes, invasion of the deep third of the uterine cervix and absence of or slight inflammatory reaction in the cervix. When these variables were adjusted for the histological type and radiotherapy status, they remained in the model as independent risk factors. Conclusion: The AC group showed less aggressive histological behavior than did the SCC group, but no difference in the disease-free survival rates was noted. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Correlaçôes fenotípicas entre características de produção e crescimento em genótipos de bananeira

The correlations between the characters seen in experimental trials are generated by genetic and environmental factors and are estimated for the purpose of measuring the change in a character when the selection is practised in another. The objective was to correlate bunch weight with characteristics of growth and production of 4 genomic groups of banana: 'Nanicao-IAC-2001', 'Grand Naine', 'Caipira' and 'Nam' ( AAA); 'Ma a', 'Thap Maeo', 'Prata Ana' and 'Prata Zulu' (AAB), 'Fhia 01', 'Fhia 18', 'Prata Grauda' and 'Maca Tropical' (AAAB) and 'Figo Cinza' (ABB), Botucatu, Brazil. Some growth characteristics were evaluated such as: plant heights, the pseudostem circumference, number of leaves, number of days between planting and flowering, number of days between flowering and harvest and number of days from planting to harvest. These characteristics were measured at the flowering time. The production characteristics such as the bunch weigth, number of fruits, average weigth of the fruits, productivity, number of hands and weight, number, length and diameter of the fruits of the 2(nd) hand. The correlations between the characteristics studied varied for each genotype, but they all showed significant correlation between the bunch weight and the characteristics fruit weigth and productivity. The correlations involving all genotypes were predominantly positive and significant.

Estudo da funcionalidade de espécies comestíveis do semiárido nordestino e estratégias para sua utilização como ingredientes para fins alimentícios

The Brazilian caatinga is characterized by low annual rainfall and arid soils. Several cactaceae, either native or adapted species, grow in this semi-arid region, including the prickly pear (Opuntia fícus indica) and facheiro ((Philosocereus pachycladus Ritter) which produce underexploited edible fruits. In addition to these species, the algaroba is a leguminous with little studied technological applications and bioactive potential so far. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the physicochemical, bioactive and functional attributes of the prickly pear and facheiro fruit pulps and the algaroba flour. Specifically, this study approaches the physicochemical characterization, total phenolic compounds (TPC) and the betalain identification and quantification by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. It is also investigated the DPPH antioxidant capacity and the antienzymatic activities against alpha-amylase and alphaglucosidase of water and ethanolic extracts of these food material. In order to address their potential to be used as food ingredients, juice blends prepared with mixtures of cajá and prickly pear, biofilms with facheiro and cereal bars with algaroba flour were elaborated and analyzed. The prickly pear fruits presented low acidity and high sugar content when compared to facheiro. The Philosocereus pachycladus Ritter fruits had higher protein and ash content, but the algaroba flour was the species with higher protein and sugar content among all. The algaroba flour also presented outstanding food fiber content, which reveals its potentiality to be used as a natural intestinal regulator. The TPC of water and ethanol extracts ranged from 3.87 to 16.21 mg GAE/100g for algaroba flour, 79.24 to 110.20 GAE/ 100g for prickly pear and 412.23 to 539.14 mg GAE/100g for facheiro. The 70% (w/v) ethanol extract reached the highest DPPH antioxidant activity, which was linearly correlated to its high TPC content. In regard to the enzymatic inhibitory activities, the best performance was observed for the prickly pear extracts which presented a moderate inhibition for both investigated enzymes, but interestingly, no alpha-glucosidase inhibition was observed for facheiro extracts. This work shows, for the first time in the literature, the functional attributes of facheiro fruits, as well as the presence of betacianins and isobetanin in the pulp of this exotic fruit. When it comes to the food products developed here, the sensory attributes that better described the juice blend cajá-prickly pear were sweetness, acidity, color yellow-orange, body, turbidity and cajá flavor. The discriminative test applied for cereal bars produced with and without algaroba revealed that the texture was the only sensory attribute that differed (p<0.05) between these two samples. It was also observed that the addition of facheiro extracts did not influence the visual characteristics of the biofilms. Overall, this work unveils the physicochemical and bioactive attributes of these commercial and technologically underexploited species widely found in the Brazilian caatinga and presents alternatives for their rational use

Primary non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: A case report

Background. Primary non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the female genital tract has been described in the ovaries and is very unusual in other genital sites.Case. Primary non-gestational uterine cervical choriocarcinoma was diagnosed in a patient, 32, single, without previous sexual contact nor antecedent pregnancy, admitted to the hospital with irregular vaginal hemorrhaging. Pelvic examination realized under anesthetic revealed a tumor mass occupying the uterine cervix. Metastases investigation was realized and the patient was accepted as FIGO IV: risk factor of 13. She was submitted to intensive chemotherapy and hysterectomy, showing general recovery, but died from drug-resistant disease 12 months later. Histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetics studies confirmed non-gestational choriocarcinoma.Conclusion. Primary non-gestational uterine cervical choriocarcinoma may arise from germ cell tumor or epithelial tissue. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Association between CD31 expression and histopathologic features in stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

This study was undertaken to evaluate the association between the expression of CD31 in the tumor and the histopathologic findings in patients with carcinoma of the cervix. This study included prospectively 30 women, aged 46.6 +/- 10.7 years, with stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix submitted to radical hysterectomy from November 2001 to September 2002. Samples from the tumor were taken and immunohistochemically evaluated by a monoclonal antibody for CD31. Clinicopathologic characteristics such as stage, tumor size, grade of differentiation, lymphatic vascular space invasion (LVSI), parametrial involvement, and status of pelvic lymph nodes were also recorded. The clinical stage (FIGO) was IB1 in 22 patients (73.3%) and IB2 in 8 patients (26.7%). The expression of CD31 was significantly associated with tumor size and the presence of LVSI, but not with grade of differentiation and vaginal or parametrial involvement (P= 0.03, P= 0.032, P= 0.352, P= 0.208, and P= 0.242, respectively). on univariate analysis, the presence of pelvic lymph node metastasis was influenced by LVSI (P= 0.003) and CD31 expression (P= 0.032). However, on multivariate analysis, the presence of LVSI (P= 0.007) was the only independent predictor of pelvic lymph node metastasis. The CD31 expression in tumor is significantly associated with LVSI and tumor size in patients with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

Influence of Hydatidiform Mole Follow-Up Setting on Postmolar Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia Outcomes A Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of hydatidiform mole (HM) management setting (reference center versus other institutions) on gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) outcomes. METHODS: This cohort study included 270 HM patients attending Botucatu Trophoblastic Diseases Center (BTDC, São Paulo State University, Brazil) between January 1.990 and December 2009 (204 undergoing evacuation and entire postmolar follow-up at BTDC and 66 from other institutions [OIs]). GTN characteristics and outcomes were analyzed and compared according to HM management setting. The confounding variables assessed included age, gravidity, parity, number of abortions and HM type (complete or partial). Postmolar GTN outcomes were compared using Mann-Whitney's test, chi(2) test or Fisher's exact test.RESULTS: Postmolar GTN occurred in 34 (34/204= 16.7%) BTDC patients and in 27 (27/66=40.9%) of those initially treated in other institutions. BTDC patients showed lower metastasis rate (5.8% vs. 48%, p = 0.003) and lower median FIGO (2002) score (2.00 0.00, 3.001 vs. 4.00 [2.00, 7.00], p = 0.003]. Multiagent chemotherapy to treat postmolar GTN was required in 2 BTDC cases (5.9%) and in 8 OI cases (29.6%) (p = 0.017). Median time interval between molar evacuation and chemotherapy onset was shorter among BTDC patients (7.0 [6.0, 10.0] vs. 10.0[7.0, 16.0], p = 0.040). CONCLUSION: BTDC patients showed GTN characteristics indicative of better prognosis. This underscores the importance of GTD specialist centers. (J Reprod Med 2012;57:305-309)

Cirurgia não ginecológica em pacientes com câncer de ovário

OBJETIVO: avaliar a freqüência da utilização de procedimentos cirúrgicos não ginecológicos no tratamento do câncer de ovário, assim como descrever as suas complicações. MÉTODOS: foram incluídas retrospectivamente 82 pacientes, atendidas no período de fevereiro de 1999 a outubro de 2003, e que haviam sido submetidas a laparotomia para tratamento cirúrgico do câncer de ovário. Foram incluídas no estudo apenas pacientes com adenocarcinoma epitelial de ovário. A média de idade foi de 54,1±15,1 anos, variando de 22 a 89 anos. O estadiamento (FIGO) mostrou 5 pacientes no estádio I (6,1%), 18 pacientes no II (21,9%), 40 pacientes no III (48,8%) e 19 pacientes no IV (23,2%). As pacientes foram divididas em 2 grupos: aquelas em que foram realizados exclusivamente procedimentos ginecológicos e aquelas com realização de procedimentos não ginecológicos. As diferenças entre as médias foram analisadas pelo teste t de Student. As comparações entre grupos independentes foram feitas pelo teste do chi2. RESULTADOS: em 35 pacientes (42,7%) foram realizados procedimentos cirúrgicos não ginecológicos, incluindo: 17 colostomias, 16 enterectomias, oito peritonectomias pélvicas, sete colectomias, cinco ressecções parciais de cúpula frênica, quatro cistectomias parciais, quatro esplenectomias, duas ileostomias e uma hepatectomia parcial. Todas as pacientes submetidas a procedimentos não ginecológicos apresentavam-se nos estádios III e IV. Esse grupo apresentou maior tempo cirúrgico (5,3±1,4 versus 3,1±0,9 horas); p<0,001). Os grupos não mostraram diferenças significativas em relação à necessidade de hemotransfusão (42,2 versus 40%; p=0,512) e tempo de internação (11,5±7,2 versus 10±9,9 dias; p=0,454). A realização de procedimentos cirúrgicos não ginecológicos associou-se a maior taxa de complicações pós-operatórias 37% versus (17,1%; p=0,042), sendo que duas pacientes desse grupo (2,4%) evoluíram para o óbito. CONCLUSÕES: os procedimentos cirúrgicos não ginecológicos são freqüentemente empregados no tratamento de pacientes com câncer de ovário. A realização dessas cirurgias está associada a maior tempo cirúrgico e maior taxa de complicações pós-operatórias.

Intraspecific and interspecific pre-adult competition on the neotropical region colonizer Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) under laboratory conditions

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Search for a W ' or Techni-rho Decaying into WZ in pp Collisions at root s=7 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito comparativo do calor, S0(2) e ácido ascórbico na atividade da polifenol oxidase e peroxidase de algumas frutas e hortaliças

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Ocorrência de Zaprionus indianus gupta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) em frutos de juazeiro Ziziphus joazeiro mart. (rhamnaceae) no estado do Rio Grande do Norte

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Contribuição da pesquisa científica brasileira no desenvolvimento de algumas frutíferas de clima subtropical

Quando se considera aptidão climática, as plantas frutíferas são classificadas em: tropicais, subtropicais e temperadas. Esta tradicional classificação, por muito tempo, mostrou-se bastante efetiva. Os mais atuais conhecimentos dos centros de origens de diferentes espécies, os avanços tecnológicos na condução dos pomares e na conservação dos frutos e especialmente o melhoramento genético criaram condições excepcionais para o cultivo de espécies tropicais e temperadas em clima subtropical. No presente trabalho foram selecionadas as culturas da atemoieira, do caquizeiro, da figueira e da goiabeira com base não apenas na importância nacional e regional, mas também pelas diferentes contribuições que a pesquisa científica ofereceu a estas frutíferas. Atemoieira - dentre as espécies frutíferas exploradas em larga escala, talvez seja a de mais recente introdução de cultivo no Brasil, iniciado em meados da década de 1980. Diversas técnicas de cultivo foram desenvolvidas, como porta-enxertos mais adequados para cada região, podas de formação e produção, polinização artificial, manejo de pragas e doenças, e diversas outras tecnologias que permitiram rápida expansão da cultura em diversas regiões do País. Embora o importante papel das Universidades, Institutos de Pesquisas e Extensão seja inquestionável, foi fundamental a contribuição dos produtores pioneiros que iniciaram a busca de soluções para os problemas surgidos, indicando as necessidades para intervenções da pesquisa. Caquizeiro - a produção brasileira de caqui (IBGE - 2009), de 171.555 t, é obtida em uma área de 8.770 ha e representa um valor de 146,67 milhões de reais. São Estados maiores produtores São Paulo (111.646 t), Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná e Rio de Janeiro). As principais cultivares em produção são: Rama Forte, Giombo e Fuyu, que são comercializados prioritariamente no mercado interno. Figueira - a produção brasileira de figos vem mantendo-se com pequenas variações nos anos de 2000, atingindo 24.146 t em 2009 (IBGE - IBRAF), sendo os Estados do Rio Grande do Sul e São Paulo, os maiores produtores . No Estado de São Paulo, o cultivo concentra-se quase que exclusivamente na região de Campinas, sendo a produção de 9.469 t em 2010 (IEA). Os frutos colhidos graças à tecnologia desenvolvida é, em parte, exportada como figo de mesa (1.645 t em 2008). Fonte DECEX (MICT) IBRAF - 2010. Goiabeira - o cultivo da goiabeira no Brasil permite considerá-la atualmente como uma espécie plenamente adaptada ao clima subtropical. O desenvolvimento de variedades adaptadas e técnicas especiais de cultivo propiciaram grande expansão desta cultura no Brasil. Segundo o IBGE - IBRAF, em 2009, o Brasil produziu 297.377 t em uma área de 15.048 ha. Pernambuco, São Paulo, Brasília, Rio de Janeiro e Bahia são os principais produtores. No Estado de São Paulo, é importante destacar a produção de goiabas para mesa (50.000 t) que graças à alta qualidade dos frutos é exportado com sucesso.

Extração e caracterização do amido de diferentes genótipos de bananeira

A banana, uma das principais herbáceas cultivadas em grande quantidade no mundo e importante fonte de energia para as pessoas, tem obtido interesse como matéria-prima para a produção de farinha e fécula para uso alimentício e outros fins industriais, devido ao elevado conteúdo de amido nos frutos verdes. O trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar os frutos verdes de sete genótipos de bananeira quanto à composição química e avaliar o conteúdo de amilose, propriedades de pasta e térmicas dos amidos destes genótipos. Os resultados obtidos mostraram diferenças significativas na composição química dos frutos, com maior teor de amido na cultivar Figo Cinza. As análises dos amidos mostraram valores de amilose de 26,68 a 33,95% e propriedades de pasta com elevado pico de viscosidade, baixa resistência à temperatura e agitação (quebra de viscosidade) e tendência à retrogradação para todos os amidos. Nas propriedades térmicas, os amidos mostraram um endoderma, temperatura de gelatinização na faixa de 60 a 73ºC com DH variando de 11,6 a 16,99 J g-1 na gelatinização e 4,11 a 7,97 J g-1 na retrogradação.